A coherent Smith-Purcell radiation source: design considerations for a high power, tunable source of terahertz radiation

The concept of coherent terahertz (THz) tunable Smith-Purcell radiation source driven by the microbunched electron beam is presented. Studies were performed using numerical and analytical approaches to investigate the radiation generated by electron microbunches. It is demonstrated that the capability of manipulating the microbunching of electron beams results in the possibility to control both the radiation power and the frequency of coherent Smith-Purcell radiation (cSPr). Numerical results were compared with analytical calculations and there is a good agreement between them. These proof of concept studies demonstrate the possibility of designing a high power, broadly tunable THz radiation source.